partial paralysis in guppy

Question
Hi Dave
I read with interest your response to a question about a partially paralysed koi (18.05.08) where you said vitamin deficiency or TB, or a bump could be a cause. I would value a comment on my young male guppy: he developed normally and was starting to show tail colour when he stopped developing, became less active over about 3 weeks. Yesterday I put him in a floating guppy tank for observation (and to keep him off the gravel and so could feed him individually) and noticed the tail curves slightly to left and tho he stays mostly still, when swimming it is in ungainly loops and wobbles. Today he isn't eating. The one side of his body appears very slightly less developed but otherwise he is clear of visible problems, has beautiful colour and is clear of infections. However, the tank did develop white spot about 3 weeks ago when heater failed, I medicated and was one fatality (but not ick, dropsy). I fear the apparently mild ick infection could have stunted him and/or affected him neurologically? All his siblings and other fish (7 guppies in 45L (about 12 gallons)are fine and very vigourous. pH is 6.8, temperature 25oC, phosphates not detectable, nitrate 3-12ppm (know should be better). I change 1/3 to 1/2 water every 3 to 4 weeks and suction gravel every 2 weeks and fill up a bit with water then.

value any comments
Heidi

Answer
Hi Heidi:  With such a small water volume you will need to change 10-20% of the water weekly.  Guppies are extreme socialites so if your little guy is not having a problem keeping up with the others I would put him back in the main tank.  I try to approach issues with fish (fishues) from many different aspects of their lives and I think when you bolster the spirit of an animal it thrives. An isolated guppie will mend better with his/her own kind.  I feel that they need the support of their community...such as it is.  malformed spines, etc can be caused by many issues including disease.  I would treat your guppie for internal parasites and enrich his diet through variety.  If you remember from own history the story about how British sailors got the nickname of limeies (lime EEEs)I have no idea how that is spelled but the point is that vitamin deficiency cause the sailors to develop scurvy which they discovered was prevented if they ate citrus fruit.  This is the very point that I try to make with fish... their diet must be varied and broad in what is offered to them.  Tropical flake food it good... but it can not be he only thing that fish are fed.  Another issue that we see in fish is that if too many fish are raised in too small of an area they will become stunted and bent.  This is where the one inch per gallon rule comes from.  Water that is high or mildly elevated in basic water chemistry is also a cause for malformed spinal issues in fish.  For the remained of disease... there is not much you can do except in the case of internal parasites. Fish TB is rarely treated with success. On the other hand... healthy fish mend themselves.   dave